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(Novliodejl.) l v J. A. DUNPHY. LAST CLASP FR LASTING MAUHINES- No. 569,182. Patentedowla, 1896.

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UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. DUNPHY, OF GROTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHASE LASTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, AND BOSTON, MAS- SACHUSETTS.

LAST-CLASP FOR II AST|NG'MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 569,182, dated October 13, 1896.

Application iiled March 29, 1895.

To @ZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, .Timms A. DUNPHY, of Groton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Toe Last-Clasps for Lasting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top plan view of my improved toe last-clasp detached. Fig. 2 is an elevation in perspective of the detached toe lastclasp, one of the clasp-supports being removed for greater clearness. Fig. 3 is a view showing my improved clasp in connection with the related parts of a lasting-machine, so much only of the old structure being shown as will sufce to show the connection of the invention therewith. Fig. 4 shows an end pressure-block removed.

Hy new last-clasp is an improvement on the last-clasp or device used in the so-called Chase lasting-machine for the heel or toe of the lasted shoe, and described in Letters Patent No. 364,088, granted May 3l, 1887, and No. 376,368, granted January l0, 1888, to Frank Chase, assignor to the Chase Lasting Machine Company. The last-clasp therein described is for either the heel or toe, as desired; but my present invention relates to last-clasps especially adapted and intended for operation on the toe and to overcome certain grave difliculties hitherto encountered in all lasting-machines known to me.

It has been found in some cases that the short end links of the sprocket-chains 28 (see Patent No. 376,368, or the parts near d in Fig. 7 of Patent No. 523,402, dated July 24, 1894, as familiar examples) frequently leave a bunch or impression or crease or wrinkle on the uper near the inner edge of the toe-cap and a ittle above the sole. The nature of these imperfections has varied somewhat in different stocks and has been somewhat dependent upon the length of the toe-cap and construction of the toe; but the presence of such imperfections in the product of the machines is a serious matter, and the object of my invention is to overcome them.

My invention consists mainly in the com'- bination of the usual flexible facing with a Serial No. 543,779. (No model.)

flexible toe-clasp, the extremities of which are each formed by a rigid pivotally-connected pressure-block.

In the Letters Patent No. 364,088 the flexible or pliable clasp G, Fig. 7, is shown as provided with pivoted end-forming pads 7, of limited surface area and only partially covered by the facing 29. The pads 7 were of leather and did not have the function 0f pressing the facing 29 against the upper to prevent the upper from bunching, as is the case with the pivoted rigid end blocks which constitute a novel element of my improved clasp. The pads 7 were vertically swiveled to the adjustable side clamps therein shown, and diered in construction, operation, and result from my rigid end or pressure blocks.

I make this statement herein because of the apparent resemblance of my rigid end pressure-blocks to the pads 7 of Patent No. 364,088.

In the drawings, showing my invention in the best form now known to me, G is a flexible or pliable clasp madeuptof chains 28 and a'facing 29 of leather or the like. The chain is preferably built up as suggested in Patent No. 364,088 and as will be readily understood A vwith rigid pressure-blocks l, each pivoted at 2 to an end of the chain, the block having a pintle-hole 3 at one end, this pintle-hole being in this instance through fingers 4,-(see Fig. 4,) which extend from block l vfor connection with links 5 of chain 28. Each block l is also formed on its outer side 6 for pivotal connection with the movable claspsupport H, which is pivoted to ends of bars I, (see Fig. 2 of Patent No. 37 6,368,) which are seated and adapted to slide in guideways in a part of the lasting-carriage D and are operated by an adjusting device consisting in thisy instance of the slide-bar J as fully explained in said Patent No. 376,368, which also describes the stops w, that keep the clasp IOO and its supports from wabbling. I herein designate these rigid pressure-blocks toecap pressure-blocks, but I do not mean to be understood as thereby limiting myself to the blocks when they engage the toe-cap only,

for the bunching referred to occurs at and contiguously to the juncture of the inner edge of the toe-cap with the upper, just above the sole, and the toe-cap pressure-blocks consequently contact with the shoe at and contiguously to the toe-cap seam, just above the sole. The term toe-cap pressure-block,7 therefore, is used to indicate that the pressure is at or near the point referred to, where the bunch, impression, crease, or wrinkle of the upper has heretofore occurred. The pressure-blocks 1 are also formed with holes 7 for attachment of the facing 29, the facing being detachablyV connected with the chain, as by wires S, because the facing has to be frequently replaced. Each support II is best pivotally connected with its pressure-block l between the inner end and middle thereof, so as to leave a considerable portion (indicated by 9) of t-he block projecting beyond the pivot 10, by which the block and its support II are secured together. The facing should extend slightly beyond the outer ends of the blocks 1, as shown in the drawings.

To support the clasp between its ends, I provide it with a guide extension or tailpiece 11, which enters a proper recess 12 in the wiper-carriage D, the under surface 18 of the tailpiece resting upon the upper surface 14 of the recess and thereby overcoming the tendency of the clasp to sag between its ends. Tailpiece 11 is free to move about in recess 12, so as not to interfere with the movement of the clasp and its attached parts; but the tailpiece also sustains the clasp in its operative position.

The ends of the clasp move inwardly to automatically conform to the shape of the toe and heel which it engages, as will be readily understood by all skilled in the art and as is fully setforth in PatentNo. 376,368, and when the pressure comes on the middle portion of the flexible last-clasp the ends of the clasp move inwardly, so that the rigid end pressureblocks 1 force the facing against the work and prevent bunching, creasing, and the like of the upper, especially at the toe-cap.

IA have shown and described the clasp as applied to the toe-wiper carriage. It can, however, be used in the same way with the heel-wiper carriage to clasp the heel of the last. I have also herein used the referenceletters employed in the patents referred to for designation of corresponding parts.

lVhat I claim is- 1. In a lasting-machine, the combination of a toe-wiper carriage and toe-wiping` instrumentalities with a iexible toe-clasp, having at its ends rigid, pivotally-connected toe-cap pressure-blocks, and between its ends a guide extension; and with a facing-pad. mounted on the face of said iexible toe-clasp and of its rigid, pivotally-connected toe-cap pressure-blocks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. j

2. In a lasting-machine, the combination of a facing-pad and a flexible last-clasp having rigid end blocks each formed with a hingepin hole between its ends and on its outer side, and with a perforation between the hinge-pin hole and its outer end for a fastening which Y secures a facing-pad end on the inner face of said block, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. Ina lasting-machine the combinationof 8o a flexible last-clasp comprising a chain and a. detachable facing, of rigid end blocks formed t with perforated end fingers intermeshing with chain-links and pivotally connected therewith; movable supports for the ends of the flexible last-clasp, the supports being pivotally connected with the rigid end blocks at a. distance from the outer ends thereof; and the facing coveringthe inner surface of the chain and rigid end blocks, and means for pressing 9o said blocks inwardly, substantially as and `for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presenceof two subscribing witnessesgon this 26th day of 95 March, A. D. 1895.

JAMES A. DUNPHY.

Vitnesses:

WALTER SHAW, L. W. HAsKELL. 

